THE Q&A
We spoke with officials at the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers about what attendees can expect from this year’s event.
What is the purpose of the NAFEM Show?
The NAFEM Show features foodservice equipment and supplies from 500-plus manufacturers. At the show,...

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

Every city has its hole-in-the wall spots that locals and foodies swear by. In Houston, family-owned Frenchy’s Chicken is on that list. The 46-year-old chicken brand’s Scott Street location is an institution. Its Creole-seasoned chicken is a “best of” winner in several publications year after year...

More than two decades ago, Pizza Hut sold its first pizza online—reportedly the first thing ever sold on the Internet. Ever since, the nation’s pizza chains have been leading the way in online sales innovation. And this year, that innovation is expected to continue as pizza brands fight off a stiff...

Tim Hortons has devoted fans in the U.S. One need only to read the Twitter and Facebook feed on the brand’s U.S. website to see the passion. “Can you please open a Tim Hortons in Cincinnati???” writes Kevin Ryne Laile. “I just had the best/fastest/nicest @TimHortonsUS service!! The new one at 5...

A recent study by the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC) highlighted a troubling trend of sexual harassment in the restaurant industry: 60 percent of female and transgender workers and 46 percent of male workers report harassment as an uncomfortable aspect of work life. These findings...

Once a bankrupt city left for dead, Detroit is showing signs of becoming a hot destination for quick-service and fast-casual concepts. Where city blocks were once ghost towns, real estate developers today are building thriving centers for businesses and entertainment venues—and restaurant operators...

As CEO and president of Marlu Investment Group, Tony Lutfi has his hands more than full with a large quick-serve empire; his company operates 21 Jack in the Box, 47 Church’s Chicken, 53 Arby’s, five Little Caesars Pizza, and five Sizzler units. Most recently, Lutfi’s company acquired all five...

Meatheads, a fast-casual restaurant that provides high-quality, fresh, never-frozen ingredients, is opening a new restaurant in Oak Lawn, Illinois Monday, March 30. This marks the restaurant’s 16th location and the 14th location in Illinois. The new location is 2,000 square feet and seats 90...

Pretzelmaker has taken its best-selling Pretzel Bites and stuffed them with mozzarella cheese. The national pretzel bakery, known for being a leader in product innovation, created Mozzarella Stuffed Bites in response to customer feedback and flavor favorites. The delightfully cheesy Stuffed...

Juice It Up!, a leader in the raw juice bar and hand-crafted smoothie segment, will open its first Oregon location in the Tanasbourne Shops in Hillsboro. This will be the first of three locations that Brooklynn Lorenzen, president of Oregon-based Juice 55 LLC, will open in the Portland area. ...

AllergyEats, the leading guide to allergy-friendly restaurants in the U.S., has just released its 2015 list of Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains nationwide. The chains on this prestigious list hold the highest ratings on AllergyEats’ website and smartphone app, per feedback from the food...

Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest Hot Dog chain, will support its latest automotive partnership with 4 Wheel Parts, the global leader in off-road truck and Jeep aftermarket performance products, at the 2015 Lucas Oil Off Road Races. Wienerschnitzel will serve hot dogs and chili dogs at the 4...

On Tuesday, March 17, Starbucks will expand Mobile Order & Pay to Seattle and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. The mobile ordering feature allows customers to place an order in advance and pick it up at their selected Starbucks location.

What can I possibly tell you about potatoes, dear quick-serve industry professional, that you don’t already know? It’s not as though you’re unacquainted with America’s favorite starch. You may even know that it’s the world’s fourth-largest food crop, trailing behind only rice, corn, and wheat,...

Like much of the rest of the economy, the 2008 economic meltdown brought a massive slow-down to the quick-service franchise industry. The combination of tightfisted money lenders and general economic uncertainty put franchise businesses in a near impossible position when it came to accessing...

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

Having started as a sandwich maker with Subway when he was 18 years old, Gurpreet Singh has spent nearly half his life in the quick-service industry. Now a Checkers franchisee, Singh has spent time in every quick-serve job imaginable: line worker, manager, general manager, and, today, franchisee....

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

What can I possibly tell you about potatoes, dear quick-serve industry professional, that you don’t already know? It’s not as though you’re unacquainted with America’s favorite starch. You may even know that it’s the world’s fourth-largest food crop, trailing behind only rice, corn, and wheat,...